Back in Newport

The Tall ships are back in Newport R.I. This week. Sixteen ships came in under full sail today. Their crews will spend the next five days in port giving tours of the ships. This is a replica of the HMS Bounty. It was built for the movie Mutiny on the Bounty.

It was a very hot day in Newport, I glad I got there early because I was able to board most of the ships before the crowds came to the city.

My favorite ship was the Peacemaker. Very well kept, all teak woodwork. Captains quarters below was very spacious.

Stained glass windows in the closets.

It may be old but it fully equipped with all modern electronics.

There was even time for a sea shanty or two.



Offically in Summer Mode

                                                                      

The school year has ended and I am offically in summer mode. I do not teach summer courses although I do spend some time in the lab doing research. However, summer is when I spend most of my time recharging my batteries. Either in the vineyard, conversing with wine lovers in the tasting room, or out on the bay sailing.

   

        Rhode Island is a summer state, its known as the ocean state and Narragansett is definitely a prime summer resort area. Naragansett has beautiful sandy beaches, restaurants with great seafood, and beautiful Narragansett Bay. This is a special week week out on the bay because the America's cup yacht races are underway. The cup races have been a part of Rhode Islands history for over 100 years. In 1980 it was  lost to Australia. It was reclaimed the follwing year by the San Diego Yacht club and has not been back to Newport, RI until this week.

It was a great series and it was the first time that the boats raced so close to shore. The crowds were treated to spectacular show of sailing at its best.  Next week the Tall Ships will be in port. Until then Stay cool. ~Old dog~

Sunday Bike ride

We decided to take a Sunday bike ride. We rode the lenght of the local bike path and enjoyed the sunshine.

A Walk in the Rain

A rainy afternoon, so I went for a short walk. The golden chain tree was in bloom and I was afraid that the rain would knock all the flowers of before I could enjoy them.

 Molly was happy to be out, she loves water and rain is as good as going to the pond. as long as she's wet she's happy. The beagles were barking to go in.  Blue would rather sprawl out on the couch with Bella.

I stopped by the nursery to see how some of the baby grape vines I started, in the greenhouse, this winter are doing after transplanting them outdoors. looks like they are off to a good start. Two more years I should see some grapes from them.

Yes, there are weeds. They help keep the roots from drying out. When they become a nuisance I'll cultivate them in for some added compost.

Blue is annoyed. enough with the plants lets go inside.

a time to relax

I spent a wonderful week at the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Every morning I could wake up and see Giraffe, zebra and many more animals walk past our balcony. To my surprise We were there during the spring flower show.  Even though we had a mild winter  it is still great to see flowers in full bloom. I will need to wait another month before they can be safetly planted outdoors at home. The Disney gardeners do a spectacular job with the gardens in all the theme parks.However,  EPCOT seems to have the most flowers and special gardens to see..

They look like a colorful carpet lining the lake. I do not have a great sense of smell,but because there were so many flowers even I could smell them. They even had an enclosed butterfly garden, full of garden paths, plants, and of course butterflies, I even ran into a few Disney friends in the garden to add to the festivities. 

Thumper, Flower and Bambi are all made from flowers. Well I got to bounce Tigger calls.

Retired but still useful.

why not use some of the farm implements we use to grow the grapes as functional art work to look at while we enjoy the wine they help bring into the world.       Some of them have been part of my family for years, rakes, hoes shovels used by my grandfather. when I look at these tools I can remember days where we worked side by side in the hot sun weeding, planting, pruning and  harvesting the fruits of  our labor. Its only fitting that they hold a place of honor in the tasting room.

I can lift a glass of my favorite wine and toast the work of my father and grandfather. A wine will take on flavors from it surroundings. I can feel the sunshine, smell the scent of flowers from around the vineyard and remember actual conversations I had with both of these men in every glass.

Not too chilly

Its a little cooler out tonight, but still too nice to stay inside. We lit a fire, pulled the corks on some wine and enjoyed the company of friends.